Linda Maxwell

The COVID-19 virus crisis has made more Americans personalize the future health and aging changes they will face in the decades ahead. Addressing future long-term care is an integral part of the equation.

People in nursing homes and assisted living are facing isolation and loneliness due to the virus crisis. This adds additional challenges for families in addition to the cost of long-term care.

The average age of a person purchasing Long-Term Care Insurance continues to drop. Low premiums and better health leads to even lower premiums. If you wait you face the inability to obtain coverage or much higher premiums.

Be cautious of schemes that would allow you to hide or give-away assets in order to qualify for Medicaid’s long-term care benefit. Federal law provides middle and upper-middle class families to way to protect savings and provide for quality care.

Celebrities suffer from the same frailties as the rest of us do. But when things happen to those in the public view it gives us the opportunity to plan in advance. This can give our families peace-of-mind.

You are young and in good health. This is the best time to think about how the rest of your life will be and how best to plan for it. This includes living wills, medical power-of-attorney, and long-term care insurance planning.

Studies show the obvious. Long-Term Care creates stress and burden on family caregivers, no matter the reason care is required. An advance plan can ease the burden and provide asset protection.

Aging is an issue which impacts every American family. With longevity comes the health and age-related issues which drain savings and create stress and pressure on loved ones. New proposals give families more options to plan.

While many people are enjoying the lower tax-rates provided by the Trump tax law, few know the medical expense deduction threshold will increase unless action is taken by Congress.

People today are interested in their ancestry. They use DNA testing to learn more about their family tree. However, health issues in your DNA may be used against you as you also plan for long-term care.

Many people don't think of end-of-life issues. Hospice, comfort care or palliative care makes it easier on both the person and the family. Barbara Bush's end-of-life decision may bring comfort to other families.

As we get older so do our parents. Paying attention to their driving skills is key to their safety. When do you take the keys away? How can you make aging easier on your family in the future?

Reality check. All of us are getting old, some at a quicker pace. Understanding the risk and the financial costs and burdens of aging is essential in preparing your family and finances for future long-term care.

Surgeon General says "we all are aging." Planning for long-term health issues becomes a key in retirement planning in protecting retirement funds and assets.

An article on the website of "Accounting Today" suggests financial professionals recommend Long-Term Care Insurance to clients in their 50's as part of retirement plan.